Letter: Residential Parking in Our Town

Kerry Sink, San Clemente

Here in San Clemente, it’s not news that parking is at a premium.

That being said, it’s also not cool that certain residents or businesses on some streets think they are entitled to abuse the parking or others who believe they control who parks.

In this particular instance, a homeowner was away on vacation and I noticed that a young neighbor’s vehicle was partially blocking the driveway. Only by inches, but obviously enough to capture the attention of the across-the-street neighbor who boastfully denounced who the offender was to the homeowner hastily upon returning from said vacation.

Those of us who live in southwest San Clemente all have to adapt to this. In fact, all of our town deals with this on a regular basis. Parking has been exasperated compared to when I was younger, but what were we thinking by not expecting this to happen. Whenever you promote a town with street fairs and car shows, you are inviting outside elements to arrive and stay, some with only the intent on partying and sometimes disruption, others just love our town.

We now have not-so-sober living homes on or near beachfront property, homeless persons occupying motor homes and all sorts of derelict persons living on our streets.

All of this is done on behalf of the state of California mandating affordable housing, iHOPE of San Clemente and other charitable organizations.

All of these efforts to help those less fortunate contribute to the density and overcrowding of our streets in one form or another.

Saying this doesn’t make me the Grinch here. I do believe that we can help those in need. But in my opinion, it comes with attachments. Regular policing of known trouble spots and neighborhood watch groups having the ability to report problems and actually getting support from the city and local authorities.

As for the neighbors and their nosey watchdogs, just chill out if your own neighbor is 2 inches over your driveway while you are out of town. It’s not usurping of your private space or stealing from you, it’s just a popular place to live.